Psalms 21–13
Psalm 21:1-13
Psa.21.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- למנצח: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מזמור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לדוד: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 18:1 (structural): Like Ps 21:1, the superscription combines a liturgical direction to the leader (’To the choirmaster/למנצח’) with an ascription to David — a title framing the psalm’s authorship and use.
- Psalm 3:1 (structural): Begins with an ascription to David (“A Psalm of David”); parallels Ps 21:1 in signaling Davidic authorship and placing the poem in the royal-Davidic collection.
- Psalm 5:1 (structural): Contains a director’s heading (“For the director of music/למנצח”) and is ascribed to David — mirrors the dual function of Ps 21:1 as both liturgical direction and authorial attribution.
- Psalm 51:1 (structural): Identified explicitly as ‘A Psalm of David’ (and given a liturgical direction in many traditions); parallels Ps 21:1 in its Davidic superscription and ecclesial/performative framing.
Alternative generated candidates
- To the chief musician. A psalm of David.
- To the chief musician. A psalm of David.
Psa.21.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בעזך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,m,sg
- ישמח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ובישועתך: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs,2,m,sg
- מה: PRON,int
- יגל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- מאד: ADV
Parallels
- Psalm 20:5-6 (verbal): Both verses celebrate the king/the anointed rejoicing in the LORD’s saving strength; language of deliverance and divine help echoes Psalm 21’s emphasis on joy in God's salvation.
- Psalm 18:47-50 (thematic): A royal thanksgiving for victory and salvation—God as protector who exalts the king and gives deliverance, paralleling Psalm 21’s motif of the king rejoicing in Yahweh’s strength.
- Psalm 118:14-15 (verbal): “The LORD is my strength…he is become my salvation” closely parallels Psalm 21’s coupling of God’s strength and salvation as the ground for joy and exaltation.
- Isaiah 12:2-3 (thematic): Isaiah’s song of trust and rejoicing in God as salvation mirrors Psalm 21’s theme: trust in Yahweh’s saving power produces rejoicing and proclamation of joy.
Alternative generated candidates
- O LORD, in your strength the king rejoices; in your salvation how greatly he exults!
- O LORD, in your strength the king rejoices; and how greatly he rejoices in your salvation!
Psa.21.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- תאות: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לבו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- נתתה: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- וארשת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- שפתיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- בל: PART
- מנעת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- סלה: MISC
Parallels
- Ps.20.4 (verbal): Uses nearly identical phrasing—'May he give you the desires of your heart'—a direct verbal parallel to Ps 21:3's grant of the heart's desire.
- Ps.37.4 (thematic): Promises that delighting in the LORD results in God giving the desires of the heart, echoing the same theological motif of granted longing.
- Isa.65.24 (thematic): Affirms God's prompt answering of prayer ('before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear'), resonating with 'you have not withheld the request of his lips.'
- John 15.7 (thematic): Jesus' promise that abiding in him leads to asking and receiving parallels the Psalm's assurance that petitions (the king's lips) are granted.
- 1 Kings 3.10-13 (allusion): Narrative example in which God grants the request of a king (Solomon), illustrating the motif of God giving a ruler his heart's desire.
Alternative generated candidates
- You have given him the desire of his heart; you have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah.
- You have given him the desire of his heart and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah.
Psa.21.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- תקדמנו: VERB,hif,imperfect,2,m,sg
- ברכות: NOUN,f,pl,const
- טוב: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- תשית: VERB,qal,imperfect,2,m,sg
- לראשו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- עטרת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- פז: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 21:5 (structural): Continues the same royal-theme context: God grants the king blessing and long-lasting favor—closely linked to the present verse's language of divinely given gifts and joy in God's presence.
- Psalm 72:10-11 (thematic): Speaks of nations bringing tribute and homage to the king and of kings bowing down—parallels the coronation/honoring motif and divine blessing bestowed on the ruler.
- Isaiah 62:3 (verbal): Uses crown/diadem imagery—'a crown of splendor'—that echoes the metaphor of God placing a crown on the head, signifying honor and chosenness.
- 2 Timothy 4:8 (thematic): New Testament appropriation of crown imagery as a divine reward ('crown of righteousness')—parallels the idea of God bestowing a crown as recompense for the faithful/king.
Alternative generated candidates
- For you meet him with blessings of goodness; you set upon his head a crown of pure gold.
- For you meet him with blessings of goodness; you place a crown of fine gold upon his head.
Psa.21.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- חיים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- שאל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ממך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- נתתה: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- ארך: ADJ,m,sg
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עולם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ועד: CONJ+PREP
Parallels
- Psalm 20:4 (verbal): Both verses speak of God granting the desires/requests made to him — Psalm 20:4 asks that God 'grant you your heart’s desire,' paralleling 'he asked of you life; you gave him long life.'
- Psalm 37:4 (thematic): Shared theme that God grants the desires of the faithful: 'Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart,' echoing the idea that God grants what is asked (here, life/length of days).
- Psalm 91:16 (verbal): Explicitly links God’s blessing with long life: 'With long life I will satisfy him,' closely matching the Psalm 21 line about God giving 'length of days.'
- Proverbs 3:2 (verbal): Promises 'length of days and years of life' as a divine blessing for obedience — the same motif of God granting long life found in Psalm 21:5.
Alternative generated candidates
- You made him ask of you life; you have given him length of days—forever and ever.
- He asked life of you—you gave him length of days, for ever and ever.
Psa.21.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- גדול: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- כבודו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- בישועתך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,suff2
- הוד: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- והדר: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תשוה: VERB,qal,impf,2,ms
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 16:11 (verbal): “In your presence is fulness of joy” echoes Ps 21:6’s language of making the king glad with the joy/presence of God.
- Isaiah 61:10 (thematic): Both celebrate God’s bestowal of salvation as cause for great rejoicing and garments/splendor of salvation and praise.
- Psalm 72:17 (thematic): Prayer for the king’s enduring name and blessing—nations calling him blessed—parallels Ps 21’s emphasis on God conferring honor, glory and blessing on the ruler.
- Zephaniah 3:17 (verbal): “The LORD...will rejoice over you with gladness” echoes the motif of God causing rejoicing/delight over his chosen and imparting joy.
- Psalm 21:1-7 (structural): Immediate literary context: the whole royal thanksgiving/song develops the same themes—God’s saving strength, bestowed glory, and the king’s blessedness and joy.
Alternative generated candidates
- Great is his glory through your salvation; you have arrayed him with majesty and splendor.
- Great is his glory in your salvation; splendor and majesty you have set upon him.
Psa.21.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- תשיתהו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- ברכות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- לעד: ADV
- תחדהו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- בשמחה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- פניך: NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 16:11 (verbal): Shares the key phrase and idea — joy in God's presence: 'in your presence there is fullness of joy,' closely echoing 'you make him glad with the joy of your face/presence.'
- Psalm 21:1-2 (structural): Immediate context within the same royal psalm: the king's rejoicing and God granting his heart's desire provide the situation that culminates in God-bestowed blessing and joy in God's presence.
- Nehemiah 8:10 (thematic): Connects divine-sourced joy with well-being and strength: 'the joy of the LORD is your strength,' paralleling the theme that joy deriving from God (his presence) is a chief blessing.
- Isaiah 61:10 (thematic): Expresses exuberant rejoicing in God's salvation and vindication ('I will greatly rejoice in the LORD'), paralleling the motif of gladness and blessing that flows from God's action and presence.
Alternative generated candidates
- For you will establish him with blessings forever; you will gladden him with the joy of your presence.
- For you will make him most blessed for ever; you will make him rejoice with the joy of your countenance.
Psa.21.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בטח: ADV
- ביהוה: PREP+PN,sg
- ובחסד: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עליון: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- בל: PART
- ימוט: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 20:7 (verbal): Both verses contrast human confidence with trust in the LORD; Psalm 20:7 explicitly states 'Some trust in chariots... but we trust in the name of the LORD,' echoing the king's trust here.
- Psalm 16:8 (verbal): Shares the language and idea of firm stability before God: 'I have set the LORD always before me... I shall not be moved,' paralleling the king's security because of God's care.
- Psalm 125:1 (thematic): Develops the same theme of trust producing immovability: 'Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved,' comparable to 'he shall not be moved' in Ps 21:8.
- Psalm 62:6 (thematic): Expresses confidence in God as the refuge and the reason for not being shaken: 'He only is my rock and my salvation... I shall not be greatly moved,' resonating with the king's reliance on God's steadfast love.
Alternative generated candidates
- For the king trusts in the LORD; through the steadfast love of the Most High he will not be moved.
- For the king trusts in the LORD; in the steadfast love of the Most High he will not be moved.
Psa.21.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- תמצא: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- ידך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss:2,f,sg
- לכל: PREP
- איביך: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ימינך: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- תמצא: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- שנאיך: PART,qal,ptcp,pl,m+2,m,sg
Parallels
- Exod.15:6 (verbal): Both speak of the LORD's right hand striking the foe — “Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power…shatters the enemy” parallels “your hand will find all your enemies; your right hand will find those who hate you.”
- Ps.110:5-6 (verbal): Imagery of the LORD at (or using) the right hand to destroy opponents: “The Lord is at your right hand; he will shatter kings…” echoes the psalm’s claim that the right hand will deal with enemies/hators.
- Ps.2:9 (thematic): Royal/deliverance motif of the divinely empowered king crushing opponents — “You shall break them with a rod of iron” resonates with the theme of God’s hand finding and defeating enemies.
- Ps.18:39 (thematic): Description of God subduing and delivering the psalmist from his foes — “You have equipped me with strength for the battle; you have subdued under me those who rose up against me” parallels the victory over enemies expressed in Ps 21:9.
- Rom.12:19 (thematic): Theological theme that God executes justice/vengeance on wrongdoers — “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord” echoes the psalm’s confidence that God will deal with enemies.
Alternative generated candidates
- Your hand will find all your enemies; your right hand will find those who hate you.
- Your hand will find out all your enemies; your right hand will find those who hate you.
Psa.21.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- תשיתמו: VERB,qal,impf,2,mp
- כתנור: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לעת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- פניך: NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- באפו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+pr:3,m
- יבלעם: VERB,qal,impf,3,ms+3mp
- ותאכלם: VERB,qal,impf,3,fs+3mp
- אש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deut.32:22 (verbal): Uses nearly identical language of a fire kindled in God's anger that burns to the nethermost parts—verbal and thematic parallel portraying divine anger as consuming fire.
- Mal.4:1 (verbal): The coming day is said to ‘burn like an oven,’ echoing the furnace/oven imagery of decisive, consuming judgment in Ps 21:10.
- Nah.1:6 (thematic): Speaks of God’s indignation poured out like fire and asks who can stand before it—similar theme of irresistible, fiery divine wrath consuming the wicked.
- Isa.66:15-16 (structural): Describes the Lord’s coming with fire to execute judgment, paralleling the psalm’s depiction of God consuming enemies with fire as part of his judgment.
- Exod.15:7 (thematic): In the Song at the Red Sea God’s wrath is said to consume like stubble in fire—an earlier poetic use of the same motif of God’s wrath as devouring fire.
Alternative generated candidates
- You will make them a blazing furnace before you; the LORD in his wrath will swallow them up, and fire will consume them.
- You will make them as a fiery furnace at your appearing; the LORD in his wrath will swallow them up, and fire will consume them.
Psa.21.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- פרימו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- תאבד: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- וזרעם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מבני: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cs
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 109:13-15 (verbal): A curse formula asking that the offender’s posterity be cut off and his children be left fatherless — language parallel to ‘their offspring be cut off from the earth.’
- Isaiah 14:21 (allusion): Speaks of preparing slaughter for a ruler’s children so they do not rise or possess the land — thematically and verbally close to cutting off descendants from the earth.
- Jeremiah 22:30 (thematic): Declares that a king will have no offspring to sit on David’s throne (no succeeding progeny) — a judicial/royal form of ‘offspring cut off’ similar to Psalm 21:11.
- Micah 7:2 (thematic): Laments that the faithful have perished from the earth and no upright remain among mankind — echoes the motif of people/lineages being removed from the land.
Alternative generated candidates
- Their fruit you will root out from the earth, and their seed from among the children of men.
- You will cut off their offspring from the earth, and their descendants from among the children of men.
Psa.21.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- נטו: VERB,qal,perf,3,_,pl
- עליך: PREP+2ms
- רעה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- חשבו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מזמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בל: PART
- יוכלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Psalm 2:1-2 (thematic): Nations and rulers plot against the LORD and his anointed; like Ps 21:12 it depicts hostile counsel directed against God/king that is ultimately futile.
- Isaiah 8:10 (verbal): Calls enemies to 'take counsel together' and predicts their plans will come to nothing—language and idea parallel the failure of plotted mischief in Ps 21:12.
- Psalm 64:2-6 (verbal): Describes secret plotting and snares devised by enemies and their eventual frustration by God, closely mirroring the imagery of schemes that cannot succeed in Ps 21:12.
- Psalm 37:12-13 (thematic): Speaks of the wicked plotting against the righteous and the LORD's response (derision/overthrow), echoing the theme of hostile plans that do not endure in Ps 21:12.
- Job 5:12 (verbal): States that God thwarts the devices of the crafty so their hands cannot succeed—a close verbal and thematic parallel to the impotence of enemies' plots in Ps 21:12.
Alternative generated candidates
- For they planned evil against you; they devised a scheme, but they will not succeed.
- For they planned evil against you; they devised a scheme, but they shall not prevail.
Psa.21.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- תשיתמו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- שכם: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- במיתריך: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,poss:2,m,sg
- תכונן: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- על: PREP
- פניהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Psalm 118:14 (verbal): “The LORD is my strength and my song” — closely echoes the psalm’s pairing of God’s strength with the community’s response of singing and praise.
- Exodus 15:2 (quotation): Moses’ victory song after the Red Sea: ‘The LORD is my strength and my song’ — an earlier liturgical formula that Psalm 21 similarly invokes (exaltation of God’s strength and sung praise).
- Habakkuk 3:19 (thematic): ‘The LORD God is my strength…’ — personal affirmation of God as provider of strength and deliverance, reflecting the same theological motif of divine empowerment and vindication.
- Psalm 18:32–35 (structural): David celebrates Yahweh who girds him with strength and secures victory in battle; parallels Psalm 21’s emphasis on God’s enabling power and successful outcome for the king.
- Psalm 144:1 (thematic): ‘Blessed be the LORD my rock…who trains my hands for war’ — similar theme of God as the source of martial strength and skill leading to triumph, as implied in Psalm 21’s exaltation of divine strength.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore you will make them turn their backs; you will aim your bows at their faces.
- You will make them turn their backs; you will set your bowstrings ready against their faces.
To the chief musician. A psalm of David.
The king rejoices in your strength, O LORD; in your salvation how greatly he exults.
You have given him the desire of his heart; you have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah.
For you went before him with blessings of goodness; you have set a crown of fine gold upon his head.
He asked life of you—you gave it to him, length of days forever and ever.
Great is his glory by your salvation; you have clothed him with splendor and majesty.
For you make him blessed forever; you make him glad with the joy of your presence.
For the king trusts in the LORD; in the steadfast love of the Most High he will not be moved.
Your hand will find all your enemies; your right hand will find those who hate you.
You will make them like a blazing furnace at your appearing; the LORD will swallow them up in his wrath, and fire will consume them.
You will uproot them from the land and cut off their posterity among the children of man.
For they intended evil against you; they plotted a scheme, but it shall not succeed.
You will make them turn their backs; with your bowstrings you will aim at their faces.